Lions looking for recognition, respect

ALLEN PARK -- Aretha Franklin sang about it and Rodney Dangerfield complained about it. The Detroit Lions, however, feel they're not getting their fair share of it despite an encouraging 4-2 start this season.

A little R-E-S-P-E-C-T, please.

It's not too much to ask, according to running back Kevin Jones, following an impressive 23-16 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Ford Field last Sunday that helped the Lions surpass their win total of last season.

"We know about the past and not being able to win," he said of constant negative reminders about the team's 24-72 record during a six-year period from 2001-06. "Even when we are winning, people are still down on us.

"It doesn't matter. We've just got to believe in ourselves (and) not really think too much about it. We just have to go out and play and win."

So far, so good.

In spite of the team's improvement, long-suffering fans and suspicious media members remain skeptical of the Lions keeping it up for a full season.

The Lions are tired of that attitude.

In the locker room after the Tampa Bay win, wide receiver Mike Furrey, normally a gentleman, told the media to pucker up for a smooch in an improper place.

He was joking, of course.

Yet the Lions insist it's no laughing matter they enter a road game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field this afternoon in second place in the NFC North standings and in position to sweep the defending conference champs this season.

"In this league, it's all about confidence," Lions quarterback Jon Kitna said. "We expect to make plays and win games. Against Philadelphia and Washington, we didn't play well and they played great. We're still a team learning how to win. People don't want to hear that, but we're learning that. It's a long football season. We feel good about ourselves in this locker room.

"It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks."

Marinelli has made it clear he thinks the Lions have earned the respect of the fans with a 3-0 record at Ford Field and hopes it will continue.

He senses grudging respect, though, from the media.

He engaged in a memorable standoff with a reporter during his weekly televised FSN press conference in the aftermath of the team's 34-3 loss at Washington. The discussion about respect turned tense when Marinelli informed the reporter he didn't need it from the media.

It's more important that it exists in the locker room.

"Everything I talk about, it's a team. The more you emphasize the word team, not offense, not defense, not special teams, not an individual, not a coach ... it's about our team," Marinelli said. "Now they're starting to win. Now they're starting to see how much fun this is, but also how hard it is."

The hard work has paid off.

The team has earned the respect of opponents like Tampa Bay defensive back Ronde Barber. He said the Lions are "much improved" from last year.

In the locker room, there is a sense of accomplishment.

The team has bonded over a 4-2 start that includes strong performances in the fourth quarter or overtime of all four of their triumphs. It's a special bond that has gotten stronger since training camp first opened.

"Yeah, it is," Marinelli said. "You know why? I believe it's how we've won these four games. Every one of them has been late in the fourth quarter, and we've fought all the way through those four wins. It's been a fight."

A fight for respect that isn't finished.

It's up to the Lions to continue to validate their early accomplishments with a signature road win against a formidable opponent like the Bears.

If that happens, there will be no disrespecting them.

"I think they have a right to feel that way," Lions center Dominic Raiola said of the fans. "A few years ago, we started 4-2 and finished 6-10 (in 2004).

"I thought about it right when the clock hit 0:00 (in the win against Tampa). We need a big road win," he said. "We can still do something about it."